Stop Circus Suffering

Chick-fil-A is offering discount Ringling “Kids Ticket” vouchers and hosting a number of live events at their restaurants featuring Ringling circus clowns and other circus-related promotions.

ADI has contacted Chick-fil-A President & CEO Dan T. Cathy to inform him of the terrible abuse to which animals in traveling circuses are subjected. Once made aware of the cruelty behind the scenes, we hope that Chick-fil-A will not want to support this abuse.

The use of wild and exotic animals in traveling circuses is now globally viewed as inhumane. There are over thirty local ordinances across the US prohibiting or restricting the use of these animals in traveling shows; 25 countries have similar national legislation and hundreds of local ordinances of this kind are now in place in towns and cities around the world.

Years of undercover investigations reveal that in circuses, wild animals are dominated to force them to perform circus tricks using bullhooks (a heavy bar with a sharpened point and hook), stun guns, electric prods, metal bars, whips, deprivation of food and water, and intimidation.

It is not possible for circuses to provide animals with the environment they need to maintain physical and psychological health – the constant travel means they spend long journeys crammed in trailers and train cars and their collapsible accommodation is not suitable for their welfare needs, with many performing animals also chained, caged or tethered.

You can find out more about the suffering of animals in circuses as follows:

Watch CSI’s Jorja Fox speaking out against circus suffering on behalf of ADI here.
View our “Stop Circus Suffering” video detailing the evidence why animals do not belong in the traveling circus here.

Take action!

Send a polite message to Dan T. Cathy, President & CEO of Chick-fil-A. Ask him to watch ADI’s footage of the treatment of animals in circuses and urge him to immediately end his company’s affiliation with Ringling Bros.

Mail letters to:
Dan T. Cathy, President and CEO
Chick-fil-A, Inc.
5200 Buffington Road
Atlanta, GA 30349-2998

You can also click here to send a message online.

Sample email:

“Dear Mr. Cathy,

I am horrified to hear of Chick-fil-A’s involvement with Ringling Bros. Circus and urge you to immediately reconsider your support for this company.

Overwhelming evidence has shown that animals, especially wild animals, suffer in traveling circuses enduring confinement, physical and social deprivation; long, grueling journeys; and brutal control methods and physical violence. Keeping elephants in chains and confining wild animals like lions and tigers in small cages, and forcing them to perform unnatural tricks in the name of “entertainment” should not be supported by Chick-fil-A.

Until Chick-fil-A ends its affiliation with Ringling Bros. Circus I will be boycotting your restaurants, and asking friends and family to do so, too.

Sincerely,”

• To learn about efforts in Congress to ban wild animals from being forced to perform in traveling circuses click here.
• For more information about ADI’s worldwide circus campaigns click here.
• Please consider making a donation to support ADI’s lifesaving work for animals!